Family Conversation

For all of December we have an advent binder that we read a scripture, a story, and sing a song from.  The other night the song was "When Joseph Went to Bethlehem".  I then bore my testimony about how awesome a guy Joseph must have been.  Somehow the conversation turned to men and women making babies together.  And cheating and affairs in marriages.  It was the closest that we have ever come to having THE TALK.  And it was really close.  The conversation finished with Charlotte bawling about not wanting to die.  Ha!  That was totally not where I had envisioned our evening going: The birth of our Savior; Sex; Death.  I guess all the basics were covered. Should I count it as a mom win or fail?

Jack's Baptism

Last week was Thanksgiving.  My parents, little bro, and a sister and her family, my cousin Kristen and her family, and Joel's mom came for the feast.  It was SO MUCH FUN.  It was a full house with good food and great company.  What made it even better more special was that the very next day, Friday the 28th, my son was baptized. 

 

My Jack turned 8 a few weeks ago.  It feels like he has always been part of my life yet it has also gone by so quickly.  I am so proud of who he is and who he is becoming.  He is an old man, so mature in some ways.  In other ways he such a boy.  Loves to get a rise from his sisters.  He has a very good heart.  So kind and caring.  He is just who he is, so untouched by the world.  It is a beautiful thing. 

 

Jack said that he felt very happy.  I'm happy for you too my boy.

 

 

And these two pictures of Charly and her cousin were just too cute to pass up.  Emery took them.

 

Grandpa Says

Jack was baptized on Friday.  It was awesome.  My parents and one brother and one sister and her family came.  Joel's mom who is semi local was there as well.  But Bill was making his presence known too.  Just ask Sam. Grandpa says.

Grandpa talks to Sam.  It started about a week ago.  Sam has started not listening to me and has blamed it on Grandpa.  Grandpa told him yes. 

Grandpa said to pee on the wall. 

Grandpa said to pick my nose (my nose, not his own nose). 

Sam was eating sugar by the handful at the table.  I asked him to stop.  Then ensues a full on tantrum because, "Grandpa says yes.  I'm serious!" 

Sam does not like to wear pants.  We were home for 5 minutes before we had to leave again and I asked Sam to keep his pants on.  He continued to take his pants off and I called him on it and asked him again to keep his pants on.  "Grandpa says, 'No way!'". 

We stopped at a car show.  There was a an old police car.  Sam wanted to ride in it.  I told him that he couldn't.  "Grandpa says I can."

You have to keep in mind Sam is still only 2.  Sam's words don't always make sense.  But there is no mistaking this is what he is saying.  It is too funny.  And the thing is, I can totally see Bill telling Sam these things.  I can totally see Bill goading him on, just because he thought it was funny and to get my goat.  "Go ahead Sam, eat the sugar.  Do it."  "No way, you don't need to wear pants."  "You want to ride that car?  Don't listen to her."  I can see Bill being totally amused.

Now the baptism is over, Grandpa is not saying much anymore.  But it feels good to think that Bill was here for the celebrations and having a great time.  Love you Billy Boy!

The Move That Was And Then It Wasn't

I decided to get back on the blog bandwagon and then I stop for several weeks!  The problem was that the only thing I wanted to talk about was our move to Idaho. 

Joel got this job that was really exciting and had a great offer.  We were so excited about it.  It was beautiful there, we would have gotten a gorgeous house, good schools, and just three hours away from my parents.  *Sigh*

Joel told his job that we were leaving.  The HR lady cried.  For reals.  They counter offered.  We prayed about it.  Nothing.  But we wanted to go.  So we continued with the new company.  We got the house all ready.  Appraisers, real estate agents, inspectors, the moving company.  Everyone came.  More praying.  Nothing.  They were both good offers and good options.  Since we were getting no guidance we decided that it meant that it was completely up to us.  Then Friday night we were out on a date.  It was a second counter offer to get him to stay here.  It was also a great offer.  Ugh.  It is so hard to be so awesome and have people just wanting you left and right.  Joel and I both prayed to make sure we were doing the right thing.  I finally came to my conclusion.  We should totally move.  Joel came to his conclusion.  We should totally stay.  That was awful being on the complete different sides of the spectrum.  His last day was Wednesday and he was supposed to start his new job on the following Monday.

It was Wednesday.  Last day of work.  Wednesday before the holiday weekend.  I cried so much.  I really wanted to go.  But I had a change in my prayer.  I prayed for Joel to know what we should do.  As equal as we are, he is the head of the household. He presides over the family.  As equally important as our jobs are, I stay at home and it was his career.  I prayed.  I cried.  I trusted Joel to go by the spirit.  Joel wanted to just make me happy and really wanted to go to Idaho but he felt compelled to stay.  You can't argue with inspiration.  So here we are and here we stay.  It was a tough, tough choice. 

I am totally sad that we are not going to Idaho, yet at the same time we have a good life here.  It is not like we have to stay in a terrible place.  I love the upgrades to our little house.  I am loving the way it looks.  The kids are happy at school and we have a good ward.  Life is good.  We are blessed.  Even if we aren't moving to Idaho.

Halloween 2014

It has been a long time.  Too long.  I am hoping to get back into the habit of blogging.  Now that Sammy is getting older I am finding it to be a little easier to be in front of the computer to type.  He is a whopping 2 years old now.  Things are a little less crazy.  :)  I also think I stopped blogging because I got a fancy phone and just took all my pictures on the phone, none of which were blog quality pictures.  But I feel the need to start back up again.  I have forgotten so much already.  So real photos or just phone snaps, I am going to hopefully record my sweet little family.

Halloween is over.  We had several different Halloween celebrations, one each weekend in October.  The Zoo Boo, the pumpkin patch with the train, the Fall Festival at school and the Trunk or Treat at church.  Plus the older ones have been in soccer, so our weekends have been full.  (One more week of soccer.  I am so excited to have our Saturdays back!)

 

I am amused with myself - wanting to restart the blog yet I have nothing profound to say.  Better luck next week?